Police Officer Richard Mendez, Philadelphia Police Dept., PA, End of Watch: Thu, Oct 12, 2023

Police Officer Richard Mendez, Philadelphia Police Dept., PA, End of Watch: Thu, Oct 12, 2023 #police #officerdown

Police Officer Richard Mendez was killed in the Philadelphia International Airport's parking garage D around 11:00 p.m. As he and his partner prepared for their shift, they heard glass shattering and saw suspects breaking into a vehicle. Upon approach, the suspects opened fire. Officer Mendez sustained multiple gunshot wounds, and his partner was shot in the arm. Officer Mendez was rushed to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center but succumbed to his injuries at 11:34 p.m. One wounded assailant was later pronounced dead at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. The remaining suspects, believed to have fled in a stolen vehicle, are still at large. Officer Mendez had served the Philadelphia Police Department for nearly 23 years, assigned to the airport unit. He leaves behind a wife, a daughter, and a grieving community.